Section Pharmacist at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Rationale/Objective for Position

The HQ Section Pharmacist supports MSF Ubuntu’s medical mission by ensuring that every community we serve has access to safe, effective, and quality assured medicines and medical products.

Guided by the spirit of Ubuntu, recognizing our shared humanity, the section pharmacist works collaboratively with program teams, supply unit/s, and other HQ teams to strengthen pharmaceutical standards and system and promote responsible and compassionate care.

This position will be hierarchically and functionally accountable to the Medical Director, with additional functional collaboration with other advisors.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Strategic and Technical Leadership

• Develop and implement MSF Ubuntu pharmaceutical framework and strategies in alignment with MSF International policies.
• Define medical supply strategies (local and international procurement) in collaboration with Supply and Logistics departments.
• Ensure compliance with MSF international pharmaceutical quality assurance policies and procedures.
• Define and manage the Medical Master List (MML) for MSF Ubuntu in collaboration with OCB Pharmaceutical Unit, and Supply/Logistic departments.
• Act as the medical department focal point for pharmaceutical matters with MSF Ubuntu Supply and Logistics department, MSF Supply, OCB Pharmaceutical Unit, and international procurement centers.
• Provide expert input to operational planning, including new country programs and emergency responses.
• Support initiatives such as antimicrobial stewardship, rational drug use, and pharmacovigilance.

Technical and Operational Support

• Provide expert pharmaceutical advice and technical support to country programs and HQ teams.
• Advice and support programs on forecasting and validation of medical orders in close collaboration with the medical responsible at programs and HQ.
• Provide technical validation of local pharmaceutical purchases for country programs and advise the Medical Director on exceptional approvals and authorizations.
• Provide guidance on legal and regulatory aspects of pharmaceutical procurement and importation.
• Conduct field visits to assess pharmaceutical systems, local markets, and compliance with WHO GDP, GSP, and GMP standards.
• Member of the pharma cold chain group. This group defines the pharma requirement for cold chain management and oversees the Dr Cold Chain.
• Management of Cold Chain Excursions in close collaboration with supply and logistics department.
• Serve as MSF Ubuntu medical department focal point for ‘Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP)’, ensuring the delivery of optimal, evidence-based care within its programming.

Quality Assurance and Pharmacovigilance

• Ensure the quality and safety of medicines, medical devices, and therapeutic products used in MSF Ubuntu programs comply with MSF quality assurance policy and standards.
• Contribute to the development of international pharmaceutical standards, technical specifications, and policies within MSF.
• Collaborate with OCB pharmaceutical unit and MSF Supply centers on product selection, procurement standards and supplier compliance.
• Act as focal point for quality alerts, batch recalls, and pharmacovigilance reporting closely follows up and provides technical support.

Storage, Distribution, and Stock Management

• Define and support implementation of Good Storage and Distribution Practices (GSDP) in MSF Ubuntu Programs in collaboration with Supply and Logistics Department.
• Oversee pharmacy and medical stock management standards in coordination with Supply and Logistics department.
• Serve as medical focal point for relevant pharmacy/medical-supply tools like IsyStock, MedOrder or any new tool initiatives, supporting its development, rollout, and user training.
• Serve as a medical focal point for UniField related application use and meeting medical-supply and pharmacy standards towards supply and logistics department.
• Ensure proper pharmacy management in distribution pharmacies and end-user units including structural management, administrative management, and data collection.
• Ensure that the required tools for pharmacy and medical stock management are implemented and correctly functioning along with proper support documentation (manuals and SOP’s).
• Support the programs in setting up pharmacy and medical stock management, when needed.

Representation and Coordination

• Represent the MSF Ubuntu in international pharmacist working groups and technical platforms.
• Collaborate with other MSF sections, regional pharmacists, and external partners (e.g. WHO) on pharmaceutical policy and standards.

Capacity Building and People Management

• Support recruitment, mentoring, and development of pharmacy staff and pools.
• Build capacity of MSF Ubuntu program pharmacists and medical teams on pharmaceutical management, quality standards, and tools.
• Promone knowledge transfer and continuous improvement in pharmacy practices across MSF Ubuntu programs.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing platforms, workshops and communities of practice.

Qualifications

Education

• A master’s or doctoral degree in Pharmacy.
• Fluency/excellent level of written and spoken English, knowledge of French is an advantage.
• Excellent knowledge and experience in cross/multicultural communication and collaboration.

Experience

• At least five (5) years of demonstrated MSF international experience and worked in MSF Head Quarters position in Pharmacy and/or as a Pharmacy Coordinator.
• Experience working in pharmaceutical product supply, medical stock management.
• Experience in implementing good storage and distribution practices and good pharmaceutical practices.
• Commitment to and experience of advancing multicultural collaboration, learning, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Competencies

Technical Competencies:

• Excellent skills in Office Suite (advanced MS Excel and others).
• Solid knowledge of MSF tools (Isystock, MedOrders, UniField, DART etc) is an asset.
• Ability to produce high quality, succinct actionable reports with clear recommendations.
• Excellent written and presentation skills across audiences of diverse backgrounds.

Behavioral/General Competencies:

• Commitment to MSF’s Principles
• Cross-cultural Awareness
• Strategic Vision
• Results and Quality Orientation
• Service Orientation
• Planning and Organizing
• Initiative and Innovation
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• People Management and Development
• Networking and Building Relationships
• Security awareness and Management